A probe drifting far from other objects in space initially moves at 1.0 m/s toward…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

0.50\,\text{kg}

probe drifting far from other objects in space initially moves at 1.0 m/s toward the

+x

direction. At

t=0

a small rocket thruster mounted on the probe begins firing and produces the following one-dimensional force profile along the

x

-axis: • From

t=0

t=2.0\,\text{s}

, a constant

+1.5\,\text{N}

force • From

t=2.0\,\text{s}

t=4.0\,\text{s}

, a constant

-2.0\,\text{N}

force • After

t=4.0\,\text{s}

, no force Assume the thruster is the only external force. (a) For each time interval, draw and label a free-body diagram for the probe. (b) For each interval, state the direction of the probe’s acceleration and calculate its magnitude. (c) Sketch a qualitative graph of acceleration

a_x

versus time from

t=0

t=6\,\text{s}

. Clearly label values on the vertical axis. (d) Describe how the probe’s velocity changes direction, if at all, over the entire

0

–

6\,\text{s}

interval, and justify your description using Newton’s second law.

Related theory

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